The First Grade Magistrates Court in Mchinji has sentenced a 32 year old man to 18 months imprisonment with hard labour for soliciting money from different people under the pretext that he would employ them.

The man Yohane Chimkumbi was arrested 0n 29th August,2016 for allegedly soliciting K87, 000 from different people in Mchinji district claiming that he was to establish an organisation called Young Advocacy in which he will be employing people to work in different places in the country.

First Grade Magistrate Rodwell Major Phiri said the convict would have served a two year jail term, but this was suspended to 18 months on terms that within the period the convict should not be involved in any crime.

Phiri said issues to do with soliciting money have reached an alarming level in the district and that the judgment is fair saying this should be a lesson to others who have similar mindset.

Chimkumbi pleaded guilty of theft by trick and in mitigation, he asked the court to be considerate in its ruling as he has a sick old mother and that the money he unlawfully obtained was recovered.